Tensioned awning arm



TENS IONED AWNING ARM Filed Feb. 9, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l gmemtoz J Q A e/Eermau dam Nov. 8, 1932. J. o. ACKERMAN TENSIONED AWNING ARM Filed Feb. 9, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet gwvwntoz J QAckerl/zaiz a 6; amm

Patented Nov. 8, 1932 warren STATES PATEN oFFlcE J. OTTO ACKERMAN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE ASTRUP COMPANY, OF

CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO TENSIONED AWNING ABM Application filed. February 9, 1932.

The invention relates to awning arm construction, and more particularly to means for maintaining a substantial amount of tension upon the arms in folded, extended and intermediate positions.

Prior devices for tensioning awning arms have functioned to place a relatively great tension upon the arms in folded position so as to aid in moving the arms to extended position, but the tension upon the arms in extended position was practically nil unless the tension in folded posit-ion was increased to such an extent as to tend to cause the arms to unfold without manual aid. This condition required the use of clamping means for holding the arms in folded position and necessitated the use of very strong spring means.

Also, this condition imposed a relatively great tension upon the arm hinges in folded position, and a large amount of effort was required in order to roll up the awning and move the arms to folded position.

Accordingly, it is an objectof the present invention to provide spring means of ordinary strength so arranged as to maintain a substantial tension upon the folding arms in all positions, the tension upon the arms in folded position being somewhat greater than i in extended position.

Another object is to provide means for preventing material variation in the tension on each of the arm hinges.

And finally it is an object of the present invention to incorporate the foregoing advantageous features in a simple and economical construction which acts positively to hold the awning rigid against wind play in any extended position of the arms; which is adapt-able to awnings limited to relatively small space vertically; and which is easily attached to any arms of the laterally folding type which have already been erected, without removing any part from the building.

These and other objects are attained by the improvements comprising the present invention, which may be stated in general terms as including a wall bracket secured to a supporting wall, an arm mounting bracket hav- Serial No. 591,805.

rotation of the pulley relative to one of the arms, and tension spring means connected between the pulley and the other arms, or between the pulley and the wall bracket.

Referring to the drawings forming part hereof Figure 1 is a side view of a pair of awning arms in extended position, showing one form of the improved tensioning means;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the arms in Fig. 1, in folded position; i

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a pair of awning arms having a modified form of tensioning means; I

Fig. 5 is a side view of a pair of awning arms, showing still another modification of the tensioning means;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan View thereof;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the arms in Fig. 5, in folded position; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of still another modification of the tensioning means.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a pair of laterally folding awning arms, comprising the inner arm 10 and the outer arm 11, are pivoted upon a wall bracket 12 which is secured to the wall 18 of a building.

As indicated in dot-dash lines, a roller 14, on which the awning fabric 15 is rolled, is positioned upon the building wall in well known manner, and an awning pole 16 is secured at the forward edge portion of the fabric 15. The outer end of the outer arm '11 is pivotally connected to the awning pole, and when the awning is rolled up upon the roller 14, the arms 10 and 11 fold laterally to the position shown in Fig. 3.

An arm mounting bracket 17 is pivotally mounted for movement vertically upon the wall bracket 12 as at 18. Means for moving the bracket 17 about its pivot 18 preferably includes a bolt 19 secured to the' bracket 17 and passing through an arcuate slot 20 formed in the wall bracket 12. An adjusting screw 21 is rotatably mounted in a lug 22 on the bracket 12 and is screwed into the head 23 of the bolt 19.

The inner awning arm 10 is pivotally mounted for lateral swinging movement on the bracket 17 by the usual hinge bolt 24. The outer arm 11 has a hinge-connection with the outer end of the inner arm 10, said hinge connection comprising a hinge bolt 25 upon the arm 10, the arm 11 being pivoted thereon for lateral swinging movement.

The improved tensioning means includes a pulley or cam member 26, which is preferably mounted for rotation on the hinge bolt 25 below the arm 10. A nut 27 may be provided for spacing the pulley 26 from thearm 10.

Means for preventing rotation of the pulley relative to the outer arm preferably includes an angular member 28 having a leg 29 which fits in a groove 30 extending across the lower face of the pulley 26 and registering with the bolt 25. A nut 31 secures the angular member 28 in the groove and holds the pulley on the bolt 25. The upstanding leg 32 of the angular member 28 preferably has a bifurcated upper end which is adapted to fit around a flange 33 on the arm 11, for connecting the pulley to the arm. 7

Preferably, the upper face of the pulley 26 is provided with a groove corresponding-to the groove 30, so that the pulley may be used with right or left-hand awning arms.

Atension spring 34 is connected at one end to the inner arm 10 by means of the removable clamp 35. The clamp 35 is adapted to be ad-' justed to different positions longitudinally of.

the arm. The other end of the spring 34 is connected by means of a cable 36 to the periphery of the pulley 26 as at 37 such a way that the cable 36 is wound around a pertion of the periphery of the pulley opposite to its eccentric mounting.

The modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 is identical with the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except that one end of the spring 34, instead of being connected'to the inner arm 10, is connected by means of a cable 38 to the wall bracket 12, as at 39.

When the arms are in the extended'position shown in Figs l and 2, thet'ension on spring '34 exerts a force tending to hold the arms in extended position. This force acts between the arm 10 and hinge bolt 25 through pulley 26 upon arm 11 at an angle thereto. This angle is measured between arm 11 and a straight line drawn between the connection of spring 34 with clamp 35 and the point Where the cable 36 first touches the periphery of the pulley 26, that is, a line substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the straight portion of cable 36.

When the awning is rolled up and the arms folded laterally to assume the position shown in Fig. 3, the cable wraps around the periphery of the pulley, asshown, to extend the spring and increase the tension thereon. The force exerted upon arm 11, due to the angle between arm 11 and cable 36, is decreased proportionately as that angle decreases because of the rotation of the pulley 26 about the bolt 25 as a center, the pulley being secured to arm 11 and rotating therewith through substantially 180.

Accordingly, when the arms are moved to.

folded position, the effect of the increased tension due to the extension of the spring 34 is materially reduced by the change in direction of the application of that tension because of the eccentric mounting of the pulley. Thus a'spring of ordinary strength may be employed to impose a substantial tension upon the arms in all positions, the tension in folded position being somewhat greater than that in extended position.

lnthe form shown iii-Fig.4, still less variation in the tension is produced, because while the spring is extended by the same amount,

the direction of application of the tensionchangesthrougha greater angle.

In other words,awhen the arms are folded the cable wraps around'the pulley and extends the spring an'ainount equivalent to that whichit is extended in, the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but since the angle between the straight portion of the cable 36 and arm 11 in extended position is greater in the form shown in Fig. 4 than in the former, the force exerted upon 11 in extended position due to the angle of application of the tension is greater in the form in Fig. 4 than in the form in Figs. 1 and 2. As the angle in folded position is substantially the same in both forms, and since the effective tension upon the arms in the form in Figs. 1 and 2 in folded position is calculated to be greater than in extended position, then with the form in Fig. 4, the tensions in these positions are more nearly equal, that is, the variation in the ten sion upon the arms between extended and folded position is less than in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the improved tension means includes a pulley 26a mounted on the bolt 25, and having the stop pin 40 projecting therefrom for contacting with the flange 41 on arm 10 to prevent rotation of the pulley relative to that arm.

Preferably the pin 40 projects from both faces of the pulley 26a so that the pulley may be used with right or left-hand awning arms.

A nut 3166 on the end of bolt 25 holes the pulley 26a on the bolt.

A tension spring 34a is connected at one end to the outer arm 11 by means of the ad-' justable and removable clamp 35a. The other end of the spring is connected to cable 36a and the cable is wound around a portion of the periphery of the pulley 26a opposite to its eccentric mounting. The end of the cable 36a may be secured to the pulley in a well known manner, as shown at- 3761.

hen the arms are in the extended position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the tension on spring 3% exerts a force tending to hold the arms in extended position. This force acts between the arm 11 and the hinge bolt 25 through pulley 26a, and the force is applied at an angle to arm 11, said angle being determined by the angle between cable 36a and arm 11.

When the awning is rolled up and the arms are folded laterally to assume the position shown in F 7, the pulley 26a is held against rotation on the bolt 25 by the stop 40, and the arm 11 swings about the bolt 25 as a pivot through an angle of substantially 180 to wrap the cable around the periphery of the pulley 25a and extend the spring 3am This increases the tension exerted by the sprin At the same time, the force exerted upon arm 11, due to the angle between the arm and able 36a, is decreased proportionately as that angle decreases, because of the rotation of arm 11 about bolt 25 upon which the pulley 26a is eccentrically mounted.

Accordingly, the same effect is produced as in the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 4; inclusive, and a spring of ordinary strength may be employed to impose a substantial tension upon the arms in all positions, the tension in folded position being somewhat greater than in extended position.

lVith my improved tensioning means, the variation in tension upon the arms in folded and extended position is relatively small, and it has been found in actual practice that said tension may vary from 35 lbs. in extended position to lbs. in folded position.

As the result of this condition, there is no great variation in tension on each of the arm hinge bolts 24 and 25, and the awning may be rolled up without the expenditure of any great effort.

As a result of the substantial tension -which is exerted upon the arms in all positions, the awning is always held rigid enough to preventwind play, and the awning fabric is held taut so as to facilitate rolling or unrolling the same.

By employing my improved tensioning means, awning arms may be successfully used upon a smaller wall spaced vertically than is customary in prior practice. This is because the arms may be positioned more nearly horizontal since it is not necessary to rely upon gravity to aid in unfoldingthe arms.

Obviously, my improved tensioning means, as shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, may be easily adapted to lateral folding arms which have been erected, Without removing any part of the awning from the building. All that is necessary is to replace the bolt in the middle hinge with a longer bolt carrying the improved pulley, and to attach the removable clamp to one of the arms.

The improved tensioning means is simple and economical in construction, and easily adaptable to any standard type of laterally folding awning arms.

A modified form of tensioning means which produces similar results is illustrated in Fig. 8, in which the pulley or cam member 266 is mounted on the hinge bolt 24 of the arm mounting bracket 17, one end of cable 365 being secured to the periphery of the pulley and the other end connected to tension spring 346, the other end of which is adjustably secured to the inner arm 11 as by clamp 356.

While the tension member connecting the spring to the cam member is shown as acable and the cam member is shown as a pulley in all of the various modifications of my invention, various flexible tension members and various cam members may be used without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1.' In an awning arm construction including a wall bracket member, an inner arm member pivotally mounted at one end on the bracket member, and an outer arm memher having a hinge connection at one end with the other end of the inner arm member,

a pulley eccentrically mounted for rotation on said hinge connection, means for holding the pulley against rotation relative to one of the arm members, and tension means connected at one end to the periphery of the pulley, and at the other end to one of the other members.

2. In an awning arm construction including a pair of folding awning arms having a. hinge connection with each other, a pulley eccentrically mounted for rotation on said hinge connections, means for holding the pulley against rotation relative to one of the arms, and tension means connected at one end to the periphery of the pulley and at the other end to the other arm.

3. In an awning arm construction including a wall bracket, an inner arm pivotally mounted at one end on the bracket, and an outer arm having a hinge connection at one end with the other end of the inner arm, a pulley eccentrically mounted for rotation on said hinge connection, means connecting the pulley to the outer arm for preventing rotation of, the pulley relative thereto, and

tension means connect-ed at. one end to the f inner arm and at the other end to the periphery of the pulley. Q

l. In an awning arm construction including a wall bracket, an inner arm pivotally mounted at one end on the bracket, and an outer-arm having a hinge connection at one end with the other end of the inner "arm, a pulley eccentrically'mounted for rotation on said hinge connection, means connecting the pulley to the outer arm for preventing rotation of the pulley relative thereto, and tension means connected at one end to the braclr et and at the other end to the periphery of the pulley. H I U 5. In an awning arm construction including a wall bracket, an inner arm vpivotally mounted at one end on the bracket, and an outer arm having a. hinge connection at one end with the other end of the inner arm, a pulley eccentrically mounted for rotation on said hinge connection, means for holding the pulley againstrotation relative to the inner arm, and tension means connected at one end to the outer arm and at the other end to the periphery of the pulley.

6. In an awning arm construction including a wall bracket, an inner arm pivotally mounted at one end on the bracket, and an outer arm having a hinge connection at one end with the other end of the inner arm, a pulley eccentrically mounted for rotation on said hinge connection, means connecting the pulley to the outer arm for preventing rotation of the pulley relative thereto, and tension means adjustably connected at one end tothe inner arm and at the other end to the periphery of the pulley.

7. In an awning arm construction including a wall bracket, an inner arm pivotally mounted at one end on'the bracket, and an outer arm having a hinge connection at one end with the other end of the inner arm, a pulley eccentrically mounted for rotation on said hinge connection, means for holding the pulley against rotation relative to the innerarm, and tension means ad uStably connected at one end to the outer arm and at the other end to the periphery of the pulley.

' with the other end of the inner arm member,

a cam memberrotatably mounted on one of the hinge connections, means for holding the cam member against rotation relative to one of the other members, and tension means connected at one end to the periphery of the cam member and at the other end to another of the other members.

9Q In an awning arm construction including a wall bracket member, an inner arm member pivotally mounted at one end on the bracket member, and an outer arm member having a hinge connection at one end with the other end of the inner arm member, a cam member rotatably mounted on said hinge connection, means for holding the cam member agalnstf rotation relative to one of the arm members, and tension means connected at one end to the periphery of the cam member and at the- In'testimony that I claim the above, I

have hereunto subscribed my name.

J. o'rro AOKERMAN. 

